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Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Blogging at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Fighting hunger. Feeding hope.

Fighting hunger. Feeding hope.

Culinary Student Stories

The Culinary Training program launched in 2013 at no cost to students. Since then, it has provided training for over 300 people who have gone on to a career in the food industry. Our students and graduates inspire us daily.

I’m a Professional: Carmen’s Story

May 7, 2025

Yaideliz’s Culinary Journey

April 14, 2025

“Patience is the key to success.”

March 4, 2025

Food is Success: How the Culinary Training Program Builds Sustainable Careers

February 19, 2025

Culinary Program Offers Immersive Training

February 13, 2025

Taking a Chance on Yourself Can Change Everything

February 10, 2025

Transforming 500 Lives… and Counting

December 6, 2024

Celebrating New Careers and 500 graduates

November 15, 2024

“It’s Not a Job, It’s a Career.”

November 8, 2024

“Find your forte and perfect it.”

October 22, 2024

A Dream Come True

October 16, 2024

Xavier Finds a Fulfilling New Career

August 19, 2024

Food is Success: Shavanee’s Story

July 24, 2024

A Recipe for Success: Suzeline is Betting on Herself

July 8, 2024

Launching New Careers: 13 Students Graduate from Culinary Training Program

June 14, 2024

Transforming Lives: Dezmond’s Story

May 29, 2024

Students Explore Plant-Based Cuisine

April 15, 2024

Host a stress-free Easter with Plate Above Catering

March 7, 2024

Always Learning: Seeking growth after graduation

February 27, 2024

Cooking Up a New Career

February 20, 2024

Celebrating New Careers as 13 Students Graduate from Culinary Training Program

January 24, 2024

Sharpening Skills for a Brighter Future: Stacey’s Story

December 27, 2023

Join in the Celebration

December 18, 2023

Bruce’s Story

November 30, 2023

The Sky is the Limit: Dezmond’s Story

November 22, 2023

Savoring Success: A Peek into a Culinary Trainee’s Journey

November 8, 2023

Second Harvest Combines Two Powerful Initiatives to Create Plate Above Catering

August 17, 2023

Transforming Lives: Nerlande’s Story

July 28, 2023

14 Students Graduate from Culinary Training Program, Launch New Careers

June 22, 2023

Transforming Lives: Pascale’s Story

June 5, 2023

Culinary Training Program Recognized as “Outstanding Diversity Helping Hand” by Orlando Business Journal

May 31, 2023

Second Harvest’s Culinary Training Program Marks 10 Years, Looks Ahead to Celebrating More Student Success

May 2, 2023

A Sweet Treat

February 14, 2023

Tackling Poverty and Hunger in 2023

February 13, 2023
Culinary Graduation January 2023

Celebrating 16 Culinary Graduates

January 25, 2023

Top 4 Stories You Made Possible in 2022

December 22, 2022

Heart of Florida United Way Invests $100,000 in Culinary Training Program

December 21, 2022

7 Days of Deals Starts Today

December 8, 2022
Black Friday Shortbread Cookie Sale

Black Friday Starts Now

November 18, 2022

Shop Local, Change Lives

November 17, 2022
Vote for your favorite cookie dough flavor

Vote for Cookie Dough

November 9, 2022

Chef Israel Santiago

November 8, 2022

Second Harvest adds new signature product to “A Spoon Full Of Hope” line

November 7, 2022

Transforming Lives: Elvin’s Story

October 14, 2022

Food is more than a meal

August 10, 2022

Celebrating Culinary Training Success

July 7, 2022

Rep. Demings Presents Federal Funding to Second Harvest Food Bank

June 27, 2022

Transforming Lives: Nate’s Story

June 1, 2022

Celebrate Culinary Training Students’ Success

May 11, 2022

Charting a New Path, Thanks to You

March 17, 2022

P is for Persistence.

February 3, 2022

Time to Make a Change

January 26, 2022

Happiness is hot soup on a cold day

January 15, 2022

“This Program is Changing Me.”

January 13, 2022

Celebrating Culinary Success

December 8, 2021

Matilde Finds Culinary Success

November 24, 2021

Will you help us celebrate?

November 15, 2021

Florida Foodie: Enas Gebaly found ‘magic’ in baking

October 25, 2021
A Spoon Full of Hope Shortbread Cookies

A Spoon Full of Hope New Shortbread Cookie Flavors

October 1, 2021

Emily Tells All: How Culinary Training Helps the Community

August 27, 2021

Rep. Val Demings Requests Federal Funding for Culinary Training Program

July 20, 2021

New beginnings

June 24, 2021

Virtual Commencement Celebrates Culinary Graduates

June 21, 2021

Where Are the Workers? A Win-Win Solution to Florida’s Labor Shortage

May 17, 2021

Second Harvest Helps Fill Job Openings in Local Hospitality Industry

May 14, 2021

Second Harvest Receives $100,000 Simply Healthcare Foundation Grant in Support of Ongoing Hunger Relief Efforts

May 5, 2021

Mother’s Day Full of Hope

April 26, 2021

The Perfect Kitchen Hack – Tomato Basil Soup for Every Season!

April 8, 2021

Hop to it! A Spoon Full of Hope Easter Gifts are Here

March 18, 2021

Culinary Students Create Culinary Delights During Orlando’s First Cookie Crumb Rumble

February 12, 2021

Something Big is Brewing

December 9, 2020

Home for the Holidays

December 7, 2020

Shop Local and Give Back This Holiday Season

November 5, 2020

The Show Must Go On

June 25, 2020

Nourish Mom’s Soul this Mother’s Day with Gifts through A Spoon Full of Hope

April 29, 2020

A Spoon Full of Hope Ships to You

March 31, 2020

Rosemarie’s Story: “A new career is within my grasp.”

March 10, 2020

Luzmary’s Story: “Dreams do come true.”

February 3, 2020
Sofi's Story

Sofi’s Story: “I feel like I can do anything.”

December 23, 2019

Rachel’s Story: “The sky is the limit.”

December 12, 2019

Rachelle’s Story: “Everything is falling into place.”

December 10, 2019

Tikaya’s Story of Hope & Courage

December 3, 2019

Nina’s Story: “I appreciate you with all of my heart.”

October 23, 2019

Culinary graduates find sweet success.

October 8, 2019

Qui’s Story: “Second Harvest has given me my life back.”

June 13, 2019

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feedhopenow

Inspiring and engaging Central Florida to end hunger.
🍏 Use #feedhopenow for a chance to be featured.

Ready for it? ✨Two “Fearless” Swifties have Ready for it?✨Two “Fearless” Swifties have “Karma” on their side after raising funds beyond their “Wildest Dreams” to fight hunger in Central Florida!!!💖The New Orleans sixth-graders entered their giving era with their Virtual Food Drive inspired by their trip to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stop in their city this fall.➡️Read more about the two hunger-fighting "Masterminds" at the link in bio.
Second Harvest’s Young Professionals Committee w Second Harvest’s Young Professionals Committee was recently recognized for its dedication to fighting hunger by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Florida Chapter during its annual National Philanthropy Day celebration. 🎉The group was given a plaque for “Innovation & Excellence in Fundraising” for conceptualizing and launching key events, such as an annual Trivia Night. The group also partnered with @orlandoadvancedpickleball to host a tournament that generated enough funding to provide 11,000 meals for local kids, families, and seniors facing hunger.Former committee chair Greg Fornadel was also honored with the “Emerging Leader in Philanthropy” award for helping to build the committee’s reputation and positioning it as a model organization for similar-minded young professionals dedicated to serving other nonprofits. 🧡➡️More about the Young Professionals Committee at the link in bio.
Second Harvest proudly highlights the stories of t Second Harvest proudly highlights the stories of those dedicated to supporting veterans through hunger relief. ❤️🤍💙Augie served 22 years in the U.S. military and received help from many soldiers during those years. He now works for Veterans Affairs connecting veterans to community resources, including food.“It’s a gratification for me to have been able to help fellow veterans with the services and benefits we all deserve,” he said. “Working at the VA has helped me to reach out to all veterans from all services and provide that brotherhood I encountered during my military service.”➡️Read more about Augie's work helping veterans: https://pulse.ly/ycdogxhbsm
As Thanksgiving approaches, Second Harvest wants t As Thanksgiving approaches, Second Harvest wants to make sure neighbors have food on the table. 🍽️With more than 750 feeding partners in seven counties across Central Florida, there is help close to you.If you need food assistance this holiday season or any time, visit our food finder to locate the closest resources. 🧡➡️Find food now at the link in bio.
Volunteer as a family like the Chesnuts! 🧡 Jas Volunteer as a family like the Chesnuts! 🧡Jason, Rita, Emily and Reese recently worked a shift together at the Second Harvest warehouse and enjoyed the quality time.“We keep coming back because it is a great way for us to be together, talk, and not be on our phones,” Rita said. “It is also great exercise!”➡️Sign up your crew today at the link in bio.
📅Save the Date: Share Your Christmas 2024 is on 📅Save the Date: Share Your Christmas 2024 is on Friday, Dec. 13! 📣🎄One day. Six locations. Unlimited opportunity for impact!🎉 @wesh2 ’s annual Share Your Christmas food and fund drive supporting Second Harvest is back for its 39th year.➡️Collection sites:Brevard County - @brevardzoo Lake County - @lakecountyso Clermont SubstationMarion County - @delucatoyotaocala Orange/Seminole Counties: WESH 2 StudiosOsceola County: @celebrationtowncenter Volusia County: @daytona 🎅More about Share Your Christmas at the link in bio.
📣Thankful Thursday: 5,500 meals rescued!! A vo 📣Thankful Thursday: 5,500 meals rescued!!A volunteer team from E&J Gallo recently rescued 5,500 meals worth of food left over from a recent Orlando food show. 🍏➡️Sign up to volunteer for Second Harvest for food shows, warehouse shifts or events at the link in bio.
📣Thanksgiving Holiday Meals To-Go can now be or 📣Thanksgiving Holiday Meals To-Go can now be ordered until Nov. 20 through @plateabovecatering , the exclusive caterer of Second Harvest.Celebrate without the hassle of cooking. Our Thanksgiving meals to-go feature all the traditional favorites prepared with a gourmet twist. 🍽️➡️Check out the menu and start planning your holiday feast today at the link in bio.
Thankful for our friends at @rchc_charterschool ! Thankful for our friends at @rchc_charterschool ! 👏Principal Brett Taylor brought in the 650 cans collected during the K-8 school's annual community fundraiser. 🥫Thanks for fighting hunger and feeding hope this holiday season! 🧡➡️Start your own food drive at the link in bio.
This Veterans Day, Second Harvest recognizes and a This Veterans Day, Second Harvest recognizes and amplifies the voices of individuals connected to the food bank who have served our country or advocate for veterans and military families.The reality is in the fight against hunger, Second Harvest provides food resources to veterans in Central Florida facing food insecurity and works toward connecting them to the resources and benefits they need to thrive. 🌱On the front lines of this effort is Denise, the food bank's Program Manager and Community Liaison.  She supports neighbors across Central Florida, including veterans, who are near and dear to her heart. 🧡➡️Read more about Denise's work to combat food insecurity in the local veteran community at the link in bio.
📣Applications for the Disaster Supplemental Nut 📣Applications for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) for Lake and Volusia County residents open Monday.D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton and who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).📅Pre-Registration Dates: Monday, November 11 – Friday, November 15☎️Telephone Dates: Tuesday, November 12 – Friday, November 15➡️Onsite locations will be announced as they open. Learn more at the link in bio. #HurricaneMilton #DisasterRelief
“We believe it’s so important for people to ha “We believe it’s so important for people to have access not just to food, but to nutritious food, and we find that almost everybody really wants it and enjoys it,” said Mark Thompson, co-founder of The Picnic Project in Sanford, a feeding partner of Second Harvest, and one of the most recently certified nutritious pantries in a growing network. 🧡A nutritious pantry is a feeding partner that is committed to implementing practices that support neighbors’ access, choice, and use of nutritious foods. 🍏➡️Learn more about this initiative at the link in bio.
As Thanksgiving approaches, the food bank's Volunt As Thanksgiving approaches, the food bank's Volunteer Services Team has set a goal to provide 40,000 meals for Central Florida families facing hunger, and they need your help to get there! 🍽️A generous donor has pledged to match gifts — up to $10,000 —between now and Thanksgiving! Every $10 provides 40 meals for children, families, and seniors facing hunger this holiday season.Together, we can bring hope and meals to neighbors this Thanksgiving. 🍁➡️Feed hope this holiday season at the link in bio.
✨Give gifts that give back this year! ✨ Every ✨Give gifts that give back this year! ✨Everyone loves a one-stop shop for gift giving! Now you can buy a gift and give back too. 🛍️✉️Putting the holiday card list together? Spread cheer with traditional holiday cards.🍽️Take the stress out of your holiday get-together with @plateabovecatering, the exclusive caterer of Second Harvest Food Bank. From full-service catering to holiday dinners to go, you'll find the right size feast for any party.👕Need your very own Second Harvest t-shirt for your next volunteer shift or a cute new mug for your morning brew? ☕Visit Second Harvest Food Bank's online store for all the hunger-fighting swag!🧡You can give the gift of hope to kids, families and seniors facing hunger this holiday season with every purchase.➡️Shop Now at the link in bio.
After Jeremy lost his custodial job because of ill After Jeremy lost his custodial job because of illness, he spent three years looking for decent-paying work to support his wife and children.But he had limited skills and limited luck.At a job fair in Orlando, he learned about Second Harvest Food Bank’s Culinary Training Program. 🍽️The nonprofit’s culinary 16-week program trains about 35 people a year to work in professional kitchens since 2013. It will graduate its 500th student this month.Jeremy said the program wasn’t easy, but he got through it, graduated and now works as a line cook at a sports bar at @hiltonorlando. 🧡“It feels so good that you can work with these different types of people every single day just for one goal, to get the service done and make sure people are happy,” Jeremy said.➡️Read more about Jeremy's journey to success in this recent story from the @orlandosentinel at the link in bio.
💡How much do you know about the fight against h 💡How much do you know about the fight against hunger in Central Florida?➡️Take the quiz at the link in bio to find out.
When @lakecares in Mount Dora lost power at its ma When @lakecares in Mount Dora lost power at its main distribution center and warehouse during #HurricaneMilton, Second Harvest was able to help restock the pantry in time for its next distribution day.Knowing community members would need assistance the Saturday following the storm, not opening was not an option. 🧡Second Harvest was there with a truck filled with 16 pallets of produce, water, MREs and prepared meals. 🚚➡️Read more about weathering this storm together at the link in bio.
📣Save the Date!📣 📅 December 3 is #Giving 📣Save the Date!📣📅 December 3 is #GivingTuesday, a day on which people around the world use their individual power of generosity to support their communities.Join Second Harvest, @wesh2 and fellow Hunger Heroes in sharing the love with kids, families, and seniors experiencing hunger in Central Florida. 🧡
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, communities acros In the wake of Hurricane Milton, communities across Central Florida came together to support families dealing with food insecurity, intensified by widespread power outages. As the community’s emergency food provider, Second Harvest, its network of feeding partners, dedicated volunteers and supporters stepped up to deliver food and hope. 🧡➡️Read more about families who received the support they needed at the link in bio.
Feed hope this holiday season! ❄️ When you st Feed hope this holiday season! ❄️When you start a Virtual Food Drive for Second Harvest, every $1 raised provides four meals to Central Florida families facing hunger. 🍽️➡️Help ensure there are holiday meals on every table at the link in bio.
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About Us

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a member of Feeding America – the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. SHFBCF secures and distributes food and grocery products to more than 500 local nonprofit feeding partners throughout Central Florida. Through the help of food and financial donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributes enough food for a quarter of a million meals every day to the six-county service area. Feeding our neighbors facing hunger is only the beginning. By investing in job training programs, advocating for access to nutritious foods, and inspiring our community to get involved, SHFBCF is leaning into the root causes of hunger and transforming lives. With the support of our Central Florida community, Second Harvest Food Bank is feeding inspiration, change, achievement, health — and families facing hunger. To learn more about SHFBCF, visit FeedHopeNow.org.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS. Tax ID Number: 59-2142315 Email: info@feedhopenow.org

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Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
411 Mercy Drive, Orlando, Florida 32805
(p) 407-295-1066
Click here for more information.

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